Dutchess County's bus system workers have extended their deadline to strike if a contract cannot be negotiated to April 10.

The strike was to start as early as Wednesday, but Local 445 of the Teamsters union agreed to extend its deadline at the request of federal mediator Kathy Murray-Cannon. The county had urged passengers to seek alternative transportation in the event of service disruptions during a strike.

"There's a lot happening, and we remain hopeful that we can improve the county's first offer to us," said union representative Jerry Ebert.

"The bus drivers' starting pay is $18.83 per hour, and tops off at $21.97 per hour. This is less than any comparable municipal drivers in a 500-mile radius," he said.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro in a statement Tuesday said the hourly wage increase on the table, which he said ranges from 14-to-33 percent over two years, "ensures (Transit Management of Dutchess County) employees are paid comparable or higher than others in the local region," and would put the wages "in the top third of the nation, based on national transit data."

Over the past few months First Transit and its subsidiary, Transit Management of Dutchess County, which are contracted to operate the county bus system, have been negotiating a new Teamsters contract. The union represents drivers, mechanics and call-center and administrative employees.

Under a strike, Transit Management would try to maintain service, but service could be delayed and bus routes will likely be affected.

Murray-Cannon suggested time off to give the negotiations time to breathe, Ebert said.

“I just thought it was a wise thing to do; giving negotiations time to breathe is just a basic thing. If we had decided to strike this week then all the negotiations would have gone out the window,” Ebert said.

Ebert delivered the news to members late Tuesday morning in person and through newsletters.

Molinaro called the existing contract offer "generous and rewarding" in a statement.

"We remain hopeful the Teamsters Local 445 negotiating committee will allow the union members to fairly evaluate the offer that has been made with a vote and we can move forward with an agreement," Molinaro said.

The union agreed to notify the public at 5 p.m. the day before the strike begins.

"Our drivers have no desire to see any customers left waiting for a bus that never comes," Ebert said.

Francine Canteen, 49, of Poughkeepsie, said she has relied on the bus for transportation since she was 18.

"I'm getting really tired, I mean they took away our city buses already," said Francine Canteen, 49, of Poughkeepsie, adding that she has relied on the bus for transportation since she was 18. "How are we supposed to get around?"

Poughkeepsie ended its city bus service last year, and the county expanded its service within the city.

Canteen said public transportation is especially critical at the start of the month, when Social Security checks and SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) are issued.

The county is asking passengers to consider alternative transportation, including New York Rideshare or other services as listed on the county's website.

Maribell Garcia, of Poughkeepsie, said she's been looking into alternative transportation, including cabs, and noted it would be costly. She calculated that she spends an estimated $30 a week for buses while a cab would cost her $20 a day.

It is estimated that, for 2018, Dutchess County Public Transit will serve more than 780,000 passengers. Passengers are counted as per ride.